Water Agency Environmental Specialist I - Environmental Compliance

County-of-Sonoma-; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Sonoma Water is seeking an Environmental Specialist I to join our team and help protect and enhance Sonoma County’s natural resources through meaningful, impactful work.

The role focuses on environmental compliance and permitting for water projects, with responsibilities spanning CEQA/NEPA studies, regulatory permits, field surveys, data collection, and collaboration with planners, engineers, and consultants. Monday–Friday office hours with occasional after-hours field work.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of handling threatened, endangered, and/or sensitive species.
• Experience conducting field assessments of natural resources.
• Collecting, analyzing, and reporting environmental data.
• Familiarity with environmental regulations (CEQA/NEPA).

Responsibilities

• Assist with preparation of CEQA studies, exemptions, and environmental reports.
• Assist with environmental regulatory permit applications to agencies.
• Perform field assessments for aquatic/terrestrial resources.
• Review studies and reports to understand site conditions.
• Prepare tracking tools, SOPs, and reports for projects.
• Assist in preparing compliance documents for laws, grants, and ROW.
• Stay up to date with CEQA, NEPA, Clean Water Act, and related acts.

Skills

CEQA knowledge

NEPA knowledge

Field surveys

Environmental data analysis

Job description

Sonoma Water is seeing a passionate and driven Environmental Specialist I professional to join our team! Join us in protecting and enhancing Sonoma County’s natural resources through meaningful, impactful work.

The Sonoma Water Agency is seeking a qualified candidate to fill a Water Agency Environmental Specialist I position responsible for working on environmental compliance and permitting matters for Sonoma Water projects.

At Sonoma Water, Environmental Specialists are responsible for evaluating, analyzing, and reporting on the environmental impacts of water supply, flood control, sanitation, and sustainability projects. To comply with federal, state, and local regulations, these positions assist in developing and proposing mitigation strategies to avoid, reduce, or offset the environmental impacts of projects. The Environmental Specialist I also uses an interdisciplinary approach from applied knowledge of biology, ecology, environmental science, and hydrology to:

• Assist with the preparation of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) studies, such as categorical exemptions, mitigated negative declarations, environmental impact reports, and technical resource reports
• Assist with preparation of environmental regulatory permit applications to local, state, and federal resource agencies
• Perform field assessments and surveys for sensitive resources, such as aquatic and terrestrial habitat features, wildlife, botanical, and fisheries resources to evaluate environmental effects and determine potential impacts from projects
• Review natural resource studies and reports to understand historical and current site conditions of a project
• Review project information, schedules, studies, and designs, and assist in preparing tracking tools, standard operating procedures, and reports for projects
• Assist in the preparation and review of documents to comply with state, federal, and local environmental laws and regulations; land use planning projects; grant applications; and right-of-way activities
• Stay up to date with environmental laws such as the CEQA, National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), Clean Water Act, Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, California and Federal Endangered Species Acts

The ideal candidate for this position is a team player and passionate about the environment and its resources. They will possess strong communication, problem-solving, and project organizational skills. In addition, they will possess experience conducting many of the following activities:

• Knowledge of and experience with handling threatened, endangered, and/or sensitive species listed under state or federal endangered species acts (such as California red-legged frog, California tiger salamander, steelhead trout, and California freshwater shrimp)
• Conducting field assessments and investigations for natural resources such as aquatic and terrestrial habitat features, wildlife and botanical resources in remote areas (e.g. agricultural lands, meadowlands, forests, and aquatic and riparian habitats)
• Collecting, analyzing, and reporting on environmental scientific data associated with natural resources, specifically wildlife
• Researching the historical land uses, existing conditions, and natural resources of a project site, and associated local, state, and federal regulations applicable to the resources and project
• Preparation of CEQA and/or NEPA compliance documents for public projects
• Applying for and acquiring environmental regulatory permits from local, state, and federal resource agencies
• Reviewing the development of public projects (specifically water utility projects) and their associated schedules, studies, and designs
• Collaborating with planners, engineers, contractors, and consultants on the design and construction of public projects (specifically water utility projects)

Note: This position typically works Monday-Friday during regular business hours but may be required to work evening, weekend, or holiday shifts to conduct field investigations, help with biological seasonal monitoring, and attend public meetings or community events.

About Sonoma Water

Sonoma Water is a special district formed by the California State Legislature in 1949 and is responsible for providing a safe and reliable water supply to its customers in Sonoma and Marin counties. Sonoma Water also maintains 75 miles of flood control channels and provides sanitation services. Employing approximately 250 employees, Sonoma Water consists of four divisions, including Engineering & Resource Planning, Environmental Resources, Business Services & External Affairs, and Water/Wastewater Operations & Maintenance. Sonoma Water supports the concept of environmental sustainability, focusing on renewable power sources, and strives to be a leader in its water use efficiency and fishery restoration programs.

Employees of Sonoma Water are employees of a special district and are not subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Ordinance of the County of Sonoma.

What We Offer